U of L’s 54-year run in Freedom Hall started like fiction and ended like fantasy.

It began on Dec. 22, 1956, against Notre Dame. Charlie Tyra, U of L’s All-America center, scorched the Irish for 40 points in an 85-75 victory.

Before the final game, on March 6, 2010, such heroics seemed unlikely. Louisville was limping along with a 10-7 conference record, still stinging from a 69-48 loss at Marquette. UofL had only a theoretical grip on an NCAA Tournament bid. The Cardinals needed a victory. But Syracuse was unlikely to play the foil, being No. 1 in the country, with a 28-2 record, and all.

By halftime, Louisville trailed 35-30, and sophomore forward Kyle Kuric had scored as many points as the nice lady at the ticket window.

But Kuric came alive in the second half, hitting 9 of 11 shots, including four three-pointers in a five-minute stretch. Every once in a while, he threw down a dunk to incite the crowd even more. He finished with 22 points as Louisville toppled the No. 1 team 78-68. In the stands, you could hear -- that is, if you could hear -- people yelling, “This is the loudest I’ve ever heard this place!”